Paperboard container having a three-dimensional curved handle

ABSTRACT

A container is formed from a paperboard blank divided by fold lines into a plurality of panels. It includes a front panel, a back panel, two end panels, one or more bottom panels, a bowed main handle panel having two curved edges that extend from the top of one end panel to the top of the other end panel, and two handle side panels each of which extends downwardly from one curved edge of the main handle panel. An opening may be provided in the front panel through which the interior of the container is visible and accessible. A top panel extends from the back panel under the main handle panel, and a cover panel may extend downwardly from the top panel to cover the opening in the front panel.

Mayea Mar. 26, 1974 PAPERBOARD CONTAINER HAVING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL CURVED HANDLE [75] Inventor: Lawrence E. Mayea, New York,

[73] Assignee: Arkay Packaging Corporation, New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: Dec. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 210,787

[52] US. Cl. 229/16 R, 206/45.31, 229/26, 229/52 B [51] Int. Cl B65d 5/46 [58] Field of Search 229/38, 52 A, 52 AL, 52 B, 229/8, 52 AM, 16 R, 16 D, 26; 206/4531, 45.34

[56] References Cited UNITED. STATES PATENTS 2,868,434 1/1959 Jones 229/52 A 3,031,124 4/1962 .lanus.... 229/26 1,253,193 1/1918 Hill 229/52 B 2,135,855 11/1938 Snyder 229/52 B 2,918,206 12/1959 Kleingers, Jr... 229/52 B 692,564 2/1902 Webb 229/52 B 2,209,593 7/1940 Bernis 229/52 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 963,071 6/1950 France 229/26 Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Assistant Examiner-Stephen Marcus Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sandoe, Hopgood & Calimalfde [57] ABSTRACT A container is formed from a paperboard blank divided by fold lines into a plurality of panels. It includes a front panel, a back panel, two end panels, one or more bottom panels, a bowed main handle panel having two curved edges that extend from the top of one end panel to the top of the other end panel, and two handle side panels each of which extends downwardly from one curved edge of the main handle panel. An opening may be provided in the front panel through which the interior of the container is visible and accessible. A top panel extends from the back panel under the main handle panel, and a cover panel may extend downwardly from the top panel to cover the opening in the front panel.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PMENFEflmes I974 SHEU 1 [IF 2 INVENTOR. ZAWREA/CE A. M0 54 4 T TORNE Y5 PAPERBOARD CONTAINER HAVING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL CURVED HANDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a paperboard container, and more particularly a paperboard container having a curved three-dimensional handle.

A variety of containers that are presently in use are formed from one or more paperboard blanks that are divided by fold lines into a plurality of panels. This type of container has retained a great popularity because it is inexpensive and takes little storage space before it is folded. In addition, it can be made attractive and provides adequate protection for many types of articles.

It is simplest and most economical to provide a handle for the container formed from a paperboard blank, preferably the same blank from which the remainder of the container is constructed. A simple paperboard strip is sometimes extended across the top of the container. In some instances, openings are provided on either side of the strip through which the fingers of a person carrying the container can be inserted. Although this construction is satisfactory for some purposes, it generally detracts from the appearance of the container because the handle is simply a flat cardboard strip. Moreover, the handle is not easily grasped because it does not extend upwardly above the top of the container. In view of the problems associated with known paperboard handles, a handle of a different material is sometimes attached to paperboard containers. This, however, detracts from the inherent advantages of paperboard construction.

Another problem associated with many known paperboard containers is that the handle interfers with access to the contents which could otherwise be removed easily by opening a top lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a paperboard container having a curved three-dimensional handle which is easily grasped and pleasing to the eye. The container is formed by one or more paperboard blanks divided by fold lines into a plurality of panels. It includes a front panel, a bowed main handle panel having two curved edges that extend from the top of one end panel to the top of the other end panel, and two handle side panels each of which extends downwardly from one curved edge of the main handle panel.

It may further comprise a top panel that extends from the back panel under the main handle panel. An opening may be provided in the front panel through which the interior of the container is visible and easily accessible. A cover panel extends downwardly from the front edge of the top panel across the opening in the front panel.

Another aspect of the invention is the blank from which the above described container is formed. The blank comprises a first end panel, a front panel having an opening therein attached to the first end panel, a second end panel attached to the front panel, a back panel attached to the second end panel, at least one bottom panel attached to one of the aforementioned panels, a main handle panel attached to one of the end panels, and two handle side panels divided from the main handle panel by curved fold lines. The length of the main handle panel is substantially greater than the length of the back panel whereby the main handle panel is caused to be bowed when the blank is folded to form a container. The entire container, including the handle, can be formed from a single paperboard blank which, when not folded, lies flat for easy storage.

The container is particularly suitable for articles that are light in weight and for which a pleasing appearance is important. The article is accessible by lifting the cover panel to expose the opening in the front panel. This is preferable to lifting the top panel because the handle would interfere. I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an unfolded blank constructed in accordance with the invention from which a container can be formed;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show partially folded containers made from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a completely folded container made from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an orthogonal view of a completely folded container made from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container shown in FIG. 5 taken along the line 7-7; and

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container shown in FIG. 5 taken along the line 8-8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a blank 10 from which a container may be constructed in accordance with the invention. It includes a back panel 12 and a front panel 14. A first end panel 16 is attached to the front panel 14. A second end panel 18 is attached to the back panel 12 and to the front panel 14. A plurality of four bottom panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 are attached to one of the aforementioned panels. The blank 10 further includes a top panel 28 attached to the top edge of the back panel 12, a cover panel 30 attached to the top panel 28, a main handle panel 32, and two side handle panels 34 and 36 that depend on the main handle panel 32.

An opening 38 is provided in the front panel 14. One border of the opening 38 is defined by a flap 40 which is attached to the top of the front panel 14. The blank 10 is provided with additional flaps, tabs and slots the purpose of which is explained below.

The blank 10 is folded as shown in FIG. 2 until the back panel 12 is parallel to the front panel 14, and the two end panels 16 and 18 are parallel to each other. The flap 40 is them folded down against the inside of the front 14. Another flap 42, in the 'form of a strip attached to one side of the back panel 12, is then attached with glue or tape to the end panel 16.

As shown in FIG. 3 the four bottom panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 are interlocked in a conventional manner to form the bottom of the container. The corners of the bottom panels 20 and 24 which are attached to the end panels 16 and 18 are inserted in a pair of slots 44 and 46 that are cut in the bottom panels 22 and 26 which extend from the front panel 14 and the rear panel 12, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the main handle panel 32 is then bowed so that the surface facing the container is concave, the two handle side panels 34 and 36 extend downwardly from the main handle panel 32. They are divided from the main panel 32 by curved fold lines 48 and 50, respectively. Thus, as the main handle panel 32 is bowed, the handle side panels 34 and 36 can be folded so that they extend downwardly and form curved surfaces.

The end panel 16 and the main handle panel 32 form a continuous surface that is free of fold lines. This lends support to the handle panels 32, 34 and 36 and adds to the smooth lines of the container. Two tabs 54 and 56 are attached to the sides of an extension 58 at the free end of the main handle panel 32. This extension 58 is not separated from the rest of the main handle panel 32 by a fold line, but a slot 60 is cut at the beginning of the extension 58.

The top panel 28 which extends from the upper edge of the back panel 12 is folded across the top of the container beneath the main handle panel 32 and is engaged from beneath by the tabs 54 and 56 as the extension 58 is bent inwardly, as shown in FIG. 4. The main handle panel 32 is then locked in this position by a tab 62 that extends from the top edge of the side panel 18 and is inserted in the slot 60. The cover panel 30 is folded so that it extends downwardly from the top panel 28 across the opening 38 in the front panel 14. A slot 64 is provided in a center of a fold line 66 which divides the front panel 14 from the bottom panel 22. A tab 68 extends from the lower edge 70 of the cover panel 30 and is inserted in the slot 64. The tab 68 and the slot 64 thus form a means for securing the lower edge 70 of the cover member 30. In this way, a completely closed container is formed, as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 shows the top of this container.

Cross-sectional views of the container are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 shows the interaction of the tab 62, the extension 58, the top panel 28, and the tab 54 to hold the main handle panel 32 securely in its proper position. Of course, glue or tape may be applied along any of the contacting surfaces to reinforce the container. The curvature of the handle panels 32, 34 and 36 may be seen most clearly in FIG. 8. The main handle panel 32 is bowed when the blank is folded because its length is substantially greater than the length of the back panel 12 measured along a fold line 76 where it is attached to the top panel 28. The outside edges 72 and 74 of the handle side panels 34 and 36 assume substantially the same curvature as the edges of the main handle panel 32 defined by the fold lines 48 and 50. (See FIGS. 1 and 8). The ends 80 of the handle side panels 34 and 36 are angled so that, when the container is formed by folding the blank 10, they follow closely the contour of the top panel 28.

The container described above is easily grasped by the handle 32, 34, and 36 and provides convenient access to its contents through the opening 38 by lifting the cover panel 30. It can be made from a single blank 10 and is attractive in appearance because of its curved three-dimensional handle.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention described above is susceptible to modification and variation without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, the invention should not be deemed to be limited except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container comprising at least one paperboard blank divided by fold lines into a plurality of panels, said container including a front panel having an opening therein, a back panel, two end panels, and at least one bottom panel, a bowed main handle panel having two curved edges that extends from one end panel to the other, two handle side panels each of which extends downwardly from one curved edge of the main handle panel to form a curved surface, a top panel that extends from the back panel under the main handle panel, and a cover panel that extends from the top panel downwardly over the opening in the front panel.

2. The container of claim 1 further comprising a fastening means for securing the lower edge of the cover panel.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the main handle panel and one of the end panels form a continuous surface that is free of fold lines.

4. The container of claim 1 comprising at least four bottom panels.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein the front panel, the back panel, and the end panels are rectangular in shape.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein the main handle panel and one of the end panels form a continuous surface that is free of fold lines.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the outside edges of the handle side panels have substantially the same curvature as the edges of the main handle panel defined by the curved fold lines.

8. A paperboard blank for forming a container having a curved three-dimensional handle comprising a first end panel, a front panel attached to the first end panel and defining an opening by which access to the interior of the container formed by folding the blank is provided, a second end panel attached to the front panel, a back panel attached to the second end panel, at least one bottom panel attached to one of the aforementioned panels, a main handle panel attached to one of the end panels, the length of which is substantially greater than the length of the back panel whereby the main handle panel is bowed when the blank is folded to form a container, two handle side panels di-vided from the main handle panel by curved fold lines, a top panel attached to the back panel, and a cover panel attached to the top panel for covering the opening in the front panel when the blank is folded to form a container.

9. The blank of claim 8, wherein the outside edges of the handle side panels have substantially the same curvature as the edges of the main handle panel defined by the curved fold lines. 

1. A container comprising at least one paperboard blank divided by fold lines into a plurality of panels, said container including a front panel having an opening therein, a back panel, two end panels, and at least one bottom panel, a bowed main handle panel having two curved edges that extends from one end panel to the other, two handle side panels each of which extends downwardly from one curved edge of the main handle panel to form a curved surface, a top panel that extends from the back panel under the main handle panel, and a cover panel that extends from the top panel downwardly over the opening in the front panel.
 2. The container of claim 1 further comprising a fastening means for securing the lower edge of the cover panel.
 3. The coNtainer of claim 1 wherein the main handle panel and one of the end panels form a continuous surface that is free of fold lines.
 4. The container of claim 1 comprising at least four bottom panels.
 5. The container of claim 1 wherein the front panel, the back panel, and the end panels are rectangular in shape.
 6. The container of claim 1 wherein the main handle panel and one of the end panels form a continuous surface that is free of fold lines.
 7. The container of claim 1, wherein the outside edges of the handle side panels have substantially the same curvature as the edges of the main handle panel defined by the curved fold lines.
 8. A paperboard blank for forming a container having a curved three-dimensional handle comprising a first end panel, a front panel attached to the first end panel and defining an opening by which access to the interior of the container formed by folding the blank is provided, a second end panel attached to the front panel, a back panel attached to the second end panel, at least one bottom panel attached to one of the aforementioned panels, a main handle panel attached to one of the end panels, the length of which is substantially greater than the length of the back panel whereby the main handle panel is bowed when the blank is folded to form a container, two handle side panels di-vided from the main handle panel by curved fold lines, a top panel attached to the back panel, and a cover panel attached to the top panel for covering the opening in the front panel when the blank is folded to form a container.
 9. The blank of claim 8, wherein the outside edges of the handle side panels have substantially the same curvature as the edges of the main handle panel defined by the curved fold lines. 